True Swing Golf – Review

To play virtual golf games you usually control a PC mouse or a console controller. And even special golf hardware is available on the market, such as the Gametrak or the Electric Spin, to give a player a more realistic gaming experience. Nintendo’s Touch Golf Birdie Challenge on the DS also tries to offer gamers a more defined and authentic feeling by letting them use the stylus as the actual golf club.

Personally speaking, I sometimes wonder when my urge for golf games will subside. For years now I’ve been absolutely hooked on EA’s Tiger Woods PGA series, whether it be on PC, consoles, or handhelds my golf longings remain true (I even got the chance to review the Gametrak a couple of months ago). And so, when Nintendo introduced Touch Golf with some screenshots and movie trailers, I once again fell hook, line, and sinker. Going once, going twice, sold to the lovely lady on the front row screaming: “I want it! I need that game!”

Initially, eight characters are available to choose from at the start of the game: four males and four females. Also a decision has to be made as to whether your character has a cool or a wild attitude. I don’t know about your preferences, but I always try to maintain or change game characters to fit my own personality and looks, therefore I opted for a blonde female with semi-long hair and an undeniably cool attitude. Calm and quiet while playing her rounds on the golf resorts? Hold on, that’s not me! (You tell ‘em, Wencke—Ed).

Touch Golf DS Review

Control of the golf club is the most important and surprisingly fresh aspect within the game, Nintendo having all but changed the stylus into a real golf club. Instead of timing exact button pushes or toggling a joystick you need to swing the stylus over the touch-screen to give the golf ball enough speed and curve to successfully reach the green. So players touch the head of the club with the stylus and slide it downwards to adjust power, then they slide it forward to strike the ball. Now while that sounds easy in principle, if you hit the side of the ball it will affect the direction it’s heading and the power subsequently decreases. The ‘touch’ handling becomes fairly easy and fun after a couple of rounds and players will soon be laughing at those instances when they miss the ball completely. Though, of course, not in the game’s Championship mode, which requires nothing but the best and most consistent strikes (hole in one anyone?). Besides the controlling of the golf club, there’s yet more that needs adjusting in order to play a good solid round of golf. Change the target of where the golf ball should land and/or change the distance by using a different club. Of course, all this depends totally on how you handle the stick and its power.

A couple of gaming modes are available from the outset, but some of them contain courses that need unlocking. From the wide fairways of a sunny tropical resort to the brutal European-style roughs, there’s an astonishing variety in playable courses and gameplay difficulty. Some 15 courses are available to be challenged, but be prepared to have your skills tested when it starts raining or when the wind whips up because the elements definitely affect your game performance. Also, the courses are mirrored to further increase the overall number of ‘different’ courses. After a little training and getting used to handling the stylus/golf club you can choose to participate in some stroke play, match play (you against another A.I. character) or compete in the Championship; the ultimate challenge and the most rewarding gaming mode. Why? Because you can win prize money, which can then be used to purchase golf gear and clothes from the in-game golf shop. Championship mode is split into three rankings: rookie, pro, and master class, and believe me, the difficulty increases significantly across the three settings. Therefore the upgrading of your golf gear is certainly necessary to keep up with the pros. The Championship mode is the most driven gaming mode available in Touch Golf, although it can also be fun to play against ‘real’ opponents during wireless play too. With only a single copy of the game, 4 people can play wirelessly. Shame that the online Wi-Fi possibility isn’t yet available for all current DS titles.

Touch Golf DS Review

Graphically, Touch Golf is somewhat of a disappointment seeing as the screen visualises blocks like a bad 8bit NES game—which is compounded while zooming in on the character(s). Look, people, this is the 21st century and we’re playing a DS game and, frankly, we demand better graphic performance. Also, the courses contain bushes, trees and plants, but do they move when the wind is really strong and almost blowing your character off the course? No, of course they don’t. The only thing that does move and is being visualised is the golf ball. However, the character designs aren’t quite as bad as the (un)natural environments; you’re able to customize them, but for today’s standards they’re still a little disappointing. Overall, the graphics would fit perfectly on the Game Boy Color, but for the DS they’re way below expectation.

Sound on, sound off? While playing both ways I noticed my in-game concentration was better while having the sound turned off. Did I miss the sound of hitting the ball, the background music and its easy listening tunes, or the clapping of the crowd? No, not at all. Everything necessary is easily portrayed on screen and sound doesn’t add any tangible extras—although, when you’re competing at a high level it’s always pleasant to get cheered on by the attending fans.

Touch Golf DS Review

Girl gamers, if there’s one game we cannot complain about when it comes to female characters or equality in games, then Touch Golf is it. The number of playable male/female characters is equal and, in Championship mode, no difference is made whether you’re male or female. All genders attend and compete. No discrimination at all! And, if you’re fond of customizing your chosen character, then all your wishes come true here. You can alter their hairstyle and colour, change their shirt, pants, shoes, and customize the colour of each. But, customizing fun aside, it isn’t looks that count here; it’s your professional game attitude and performance.

As a virtual golf game fan, I was certainly looking forward to Touch Golf. After playing for hour upon hour I’ve come to the conclusion that although the graphics are rather poor for the platform, the gameplay itself is excellent and very enjoyable. The control mechanic is a pleasurable aspect and always provides a laugh while trying to power up a strike only to whiff the golf ball completely. Ah, well, fun is what counts, even though many gamers state that golf is a dull and boring sport. The gameplay can be extended by playing with other DS gamers if you’ve unlocked all the courses and bought all the desired products in the golf shop. The reply value is pretty decent and it’s one of those games I will certainly take with me to kill time while mobile. You should give it a shot.

Note: In Europe the game is published as “Nintendo Touch Golf Birdie Challenge”. In the US the game is published as “Nintendo True Swing Golf”.

Review by Wencke
Thumb Bandits European Correspondent & manager of GGU.

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